Sorry for the lack of updates. Real life kind of caught up with me and I had to straighten that out before I even thought about writing. I'm also pretty caught up in writing an actual novel, so that takes up a huge chunk of my time. But I hope I won't neglect this story for so long next time! This is kind of a filler chapter while I get back into the flow of this story. I hope you like it!

Emily hated funeral. Well, she supposed few people actually enjoyed them. This one was making it incredibly difficult to compartmentalize as she watched Cammi throw herself into whatever preparations she could make for the service. The girls' chilling brush with death had snapped her out of her funk and propelled her life forward. Cammi had become chattier with the team, who she had been spending an increased amount of time with simply because she had nowhere else to go except the police station. She also began to busy herself with simple tasks. It was a coping tactic Emily knew well because it was one she often turned to.

With the aid of people in her community, Cammi had set up a nice funeral service, as nice as one of those could be. The weather had decided to comply and sun streaked through the cemetery.

The BAU team had been known to stay behind and attend the funerals of the victims before. Digging so deeply into their lives, the profilers often became attached to the victims whose killers they strived to catch. And Cammi had taken Emily aside that morning and specifically asked them to stay.

(Flashback)

Emily had been pouring herself a cup of coffee in the police station, watching the sunrise paint the dull gray sky, when she heard the soft click of a door handle turning. Expecting Hotch, who usually arrived earlier than anyone, she was mildly surprised to see Cammi blinking sleep from her eyes and stuffing her hands in her pockets.

"Ummmm, I know you guys are leaving and all, but I was wondering…ummm… The funeral for my parents is today and…well, you probably have more sickos to catch, but…" She trailed off, simply giving up on completing a coherent sentence and praying the profiler would be able to deduce her question.

Emily smiled, hoping to comfort the girl. They weren't due to leave until later in the afternoon anyway, and if her plan went through, she might have to remain longer to finalize things. She didn't know about the rest of the team, but she would be happy to attend.

It was Emily who had taken the time not spent wrapping up the case to talk to the girl, assuaging her fears and answering questions. At first, Cammi had been shy, but soon her inquiries burst from her like a flood. The two had formed sort of a bond; one neither was quite willing to watch severed when they went their separate ways.

"I'll be there," she assured the younger girl.

Cammi visibly relaxed. "I guess…it's just…I don't have family and my one and only friend is off somewhere sunny and unreachable so…"

"You feel alone," Emily finished.

Cammi lowered her head to look at the floor. "Yeah, so thanks for saying you'll come."

To Cammi's surprise and delight, the entire team had come to the funeral and Emily and Hotch stood beside her while the priest droned on. Cammi liked Hotch. He was the strong and silent type, like her father. She figured he had kids himself, because he was comfortable around her, more so than the others.

She couldn't bring herself to watch the coffins being lowered into the earth, nor could she bear the finality of soil landing on the wood. She tensed when she felt Emily's hand slip into hers, but looked up and smiled gratefully.

Most of the proceedings were a blur and she was grateful when the mourners filed out of the cemetery and to their cars. It struck her that she had nowhere to go tonight. She supposed Child Services would come for her soon and she would bid her hometown goodbye. Resigned to this fact, her shoulders slumped.

"Are you okay?" Emily asked, genuine worry exuding from her voice.

"Yeah. Just thinking about what happens next."

JJ shot Emily a look. The two friends had discussed this the night before when they were told that they were no longer needed and could leave.

(Flashback)

JJ was leaning against the brick wall of the police station when Emily came out, the perfect position to ambush her friend. She had watched Cammi and Emily get closer over the past few days and, while she wasn't a profiler exactly, it didn't take a genius to figure out what Emily was planning next.

Pushing herself from the wall, she matched Emily's pace as they walked to the SUV. Emily knew this had been coming. She'd seen the looks JJ had been giving her after Cammi had left for the evening. She knew the blonde would want to talk to her, and had been avoiding her so far successfully for that very reason. However, she couldn't put this off forever.

"We almost lost her back there JJ," she sighed.

JJ nodded. This was the perfect segue into what she wanted to talk about. "Yeah. Seems like someone's getting a bit attached."

"Maybe," Emily admitted. It would do no good to lie.

"I stand by what I said last time this happened. You would make a great mom."

"Thanks." Emily paused for a moment before continuing. "I want to take her back to DC with me. I'm a registered foster parent. I could do it."

"I don't think I really need to tell you this, but you have to realize what you're getting into. It won't be easy, especially with this job."

Emily nodded her agreement slowly. She knew JJ had a valid point. Raising a child, even for only a few years and one as mild as Cammi appeared would not come easily. Emily would have to go away often and she would have to make arrangements for Cammi. Not to mention the horrible experience the girl had just been put through and would need help in overcoming. No, it wouldn't be easy.

But something told Emily it would be worth it.

"Cammi." The girl flinched when Emily touched her shoulder.

"Um, thanks guys. For everything," she mumbled, turning to leave.

"Cammi, can we talk for a second?"

Cammi's eyes narrowed slightly. Emily, usually calm and stoic, had anxiety written all over her face. A thousand explanations flitted through Cammi's mind, but she discarded them all. The two of them shuffled over a few feet to give the illusion of privacy. Emily took a deep breath.

"You know that since you have no living relatives, Child Services is going to place you with a foster family."

Cammi nodded. The fear in her face nearly broke Emily's heart.

"So you're telling me they found a place for me?"

"Well, that's the thing. They haven't. And I wanted to know if you wanted to come with me."

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